Getting to know: Wanda Wetherington

After successfully starting and perpetuating Week of Champions, a free Christian sports camp, in 1979, Gary and Wanda Wetherington ultimately had to hand over the reins two years ago.

As the camp and its demands grew, and age and health issues became a more of a consideration, the Wetheringtons knew if they wanted to see their sports camp continue in the years to come, young blood had to be added to the equation.

Cue the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which began volunteer help three years ago and took over running the camp the following year.

Bluffton Today caught up with Wanda Wetherington at last week’s FCA Week of Champions banquet on Hilton Head Island to discuss the camp she and her husband started, pairing it with FCA and what the future holds.

BT: Wanda, can you tell me a little about the handover to the FCA two years ago, and how difficult it was for you and Gary to do that? Did it pull at the heartstrings a little bit?

Wetherington: We had done this for 34 years, from infancy to this huge ministry, but it was getting too big for our small committee and we were all getting older. It was good thing and a blessing that the FCA agreed to help us transition over and eventually take over, but it was hard as well. It was hard for Gary to let go of what we created.

BT: So there were some mixed emotions as the transition was made?

Wetherington: Absolutely. It was a relief to hand over to FCA because it was a lot of work for just the two of us, and we did a lot of the work from our home. All the calls came to us. At the same time, however, it was difficult to take our hands off of it

BT: I can imagine it was very difficult at first, but looking around now you must be happy with where Week of Champions is now, yes?

Wetherington: It was joyful to know that the legacy we created all those years ago was going to continue. The Lord is still being honored and it’s just a wonderful thing. Just look at all these people here. There are around 600 people here tonight. We never envisioned all of this back when we started the camp.

BT: Prior to handing off the Week of Champions to FCA, what made you and your husband keep coming back to offer the camp? What was it that drove you two to do what you did?

Wetherington: It was the ministry that kept us coming back, and what we were doing for the Lord.

BT: How did you and Gary find the time to run the Week of Champions during all those years?

Wetherington: It was hard; it was very hard. It wasn’t quite as big back then and we just managed to work it all in. The Lord blessed it and we eventually realized we needed to inject some new blood to come in and help keep it going. It’s such a great feeling knowing that it’s going to continue on, and it’s just as good as when we were running it.

BT: How did FCA come to take over the Week of Champions? Had you worked together previously?

Wetherington: We have always had a lot of our athletes over the years who were FCA people, so we’ve always worked closely with them. This was almost like a natural thing because they do children and athletes, and we did children and athletes. We blended perfectly, actually.

BT: With more than 30 years of running the Week of Champions you’ve probably had some memorable moments. Can you think of a time or two that really sticks out in your head?

Wetherington: I remember when former Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay made a profession of faith during a previous Week of Champions. His coach brought him to be a player, and when he said that, that he came here to know Christ, we just knew that’s what we needed to do. Also, any time we would go out in public and kids would come up to us and tell us how much the Week of Champions meant to them, that reminded us that we were doing what we were supposed to be doing.

BT: Do you and Gary plan on continuing in your ceremonial role in the near future?

Wetherington: Absolutely, yes. It’s a part of our heart and we could never give it up and not be a part of it.

BT: Wanda, thank you for speaking with me and best of luck in the future.

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